RSA: We pity medal thief

A family and an RSA robbed of treasured war medals by a veteran entrusted with their care say they feel pity rather than anger towards the thief.

Vietnam War veteran Lindsay David Smaill, 64, was given the job of looking after war memorabilia stored at the North Otago RSA in Oamaru, but used his position to remove World War I medals, and put them up for sale on the internet.

He was caught, but the RSA is continuing to offer its support to Smaill, who is in poor health and living in shame since the thefts were exposed.

He was convicted in court this week of medal thefts, but discharged without further penalty.

The thefts came as a great disappointment to the RSA and North Otago community, "especially when he is a returned serviceman", said RSA president John Longman.

"But he is currently in a home because he has had a stroke, and we wouldn't wish that on anyone.

"He's going through some pretty tough times, and he's got to live with this for the rest of his life."

Among the items stolen were three medals awarded to Walter Ditfort for his World War I service.

Mr Ditfort died in 1977.

His family noticed the medals for sale on the Trade Me website and bought them back.

Other medals and items taken from the RSA are still missing.

Mr Ditfort's daughter, Grace Fleming, told the Weekend Herald she did not see the need for any further penalty for Smaill.

"He did write us an apology. He's more to be pitied than prosecuted."

Having the medals returned was paramount, and her family would be hanging on to them.

"My Dad used to wear them with pride every Anzac Day. It means a lot now to a lot of young people ... but it always did to us because of Dad's association," Mrs Fleming said.

Smaill had previously been offered diversion - an opportunity to avoid a conviction - for other medal thefts from the RSA.

In court his lawyer, Rachelle Lamb, said Smaill had fallen on hard financial times and the theft was "opportunistic".

Mr Longman said the RSA would have helped Smaill out if it had known he was in financial strife.

"Our welfare officer still visits him ... and we'll give him as much support as we can."

Smaill's future association with the RSA is to be determined by the national body.

His conviction follows the theft of 96 war medals from the Waiouru Army Museum, an incident that caused national outrage.

One man has been sentenced to 11 years in jail for his part in the theft and unrelated crimes.

Another person is before the courts.